HLS 14RS-4975 ENGROSSED Page 1 of 2 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. Regular Session, 2014 HOUSE BILL NO. 1284 (Substitute for House Bill No. 312 by Representative Thompson) BY REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON HUNTING/DEER: Provides for a special season for Louisiana residents who have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces AN ACT1 To amend and reenact R.S. 56:116(D), relative to deer hunting; to provide for a special deer2 hunting season for honorably discharged veterans who are Louisiana residents; and3 to provide for related matters.4 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5 Section 1. R.S. 56:116(D) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:6 ยง116. Wild birds and wild quadrupeds; special hunting seasons7 * * *8 D.(1) The commission shall establish a special open deer hunting season for9 youth under eighteen years of age. The taking of deer in such a season shall be10 limited to a weekend prior to the opening weekend of the regular gun season in all11 of the applicable zones. Both resident and nonresident youths may participate in this12 special season. Any youth participating in the special youth hunting season shall be13 accompanied by one adult eighteen years of age or older, but only the youth may14 participate in the actual hunting. If the accompanying adult is in possession of a15 valid hunting license, or a hunter safety certificate, or proof of successful completion16 of a hunter safety course approved by the department, a youth under sixteen years17 of age shall not be required to have any of these items. However, if the18 accompanying adult is not in possession of any of these items, the youth shall be19 required to have in his possession either a hunter safety certificate or proof of20 HLS 14RS-4975 ENGROSSED HB NO. 1284 Page 2 of 2 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. successful completion of a hunter safety course approved by the department. A1 youth who is sixteen or seventeen shall have in his possession a basic hunting license2 and a big game licence license as required by law. The accompanying adult shall3 maintain visual and voice contact with the youth at all times.4 (2) The commission shall establish a special open deer hunting season for5 Louisiana residents who are honorably discharged veterans of the United States6 Armed Forces. The taking of deer in such a season shall be limited to a weekend7 prior to the opening weekend of the regular gun season in all of the applicable zones8 and shall run concurrently with the open deer hunting season for youth provided for9 in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. In order to qualify for the veterans special10 season, a veteran shall hold and be in possession of a basic hunting license and a big11 game license and shall be able to provide proof satisfactory to the department of such12 honorable discharge.13 DIGEST The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] Thompson HB No. 1284 Abstract: Establishes a special open deer season for Louisiana residents who are honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Proposed law establishes a special open deer hunting season for Louisiana residents who are honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Provides that the season shall be a weekend prior to the opening weekend of the regular gun season in all of the applicable zones and shall run concurrently with the youth hunt. Requires the veteran to hold and be in possession of a basic hunting license and a big game license and be able to provide proof satisfactory to the department of such honorable discharge. (Amends R.S. 56:116(D))